Chapter Twenty-Six

Fairchild Family Outing

Larkin

I got too nervous to take Holt's advice and talk to Seb about… stuff.

Partly because I was still confused. I didn't know if I was getting all twisted up because what I was doing with Seb was new and exciting and different. Not just the sex, but the other stuff too. The hanging out together and talking about such intimate things and… and now, the cuddling and kissing and stuff. Which, yeah, I'd instigated. And I didn't regret it.

But I was worried that I was, like… latching onto him. Onto the first person I'd had sex with. People did that, right? Conflated their feelings because of hormones or something. Got all infatuated because it was their first time experiencing all these new things with another person.

I didn't want to mess him around. What if I told him I wanted to be with him, then in a few weeks or months, I realised actually, no, I'd just been caught up in it all? I'd feel so unbelievably guilty. I didn't want to hurt Seb in any way. And besides, that was assuming he'd want to be with me , and I didn't think he did.

But the main reason I didn't take Holt's advice and talk to Seb was because things seemed to go back to normal, and I was too scared to rock the boat again. We'd woken up the morning I'd stayed over still tangled together on the couch, and Seb had seemed like his usual self as he smiled at me and asked if I wanted breakfast.

He'd made us scrambled eggs. It had been so nice sitting with him at the island, just talking and eating. I hadn't wanted to go home to get ready for work, but I'd had to. And everything had been fine at the office—he'd helped me move the rest of the boxes to the storage room, and we'd joked around and teased each other while doing it. He'd watched the wrestling with us in the private box again, except we hadn't actually watched it. Like last time, we'd sat at the back and done another crossword while Taylor and Holt had watched the show from the other couch.

Friday had been the same. Everything was back to being easy between us, and I didn't want to risk ruining it. Kit obviously hadn't told any of the other wrestlers that Seb and I were "dating," because when I went to collect Cora each night while Corey got ready, none of them made any comments about it. They just asked me to hang out with them soon, because I hadn't been around much lately.

Which made me feel super guilty. It wasn't that I couldn't be bothered to spend time with them now that I'd realised I didn't actually want to fuck any of them. It was nerves over how I'd act if one of them started flirting with me. And… to be honest, it was mainly because I didn't want Seb to think I was desperate to go and flirt with them instead of being with him.

And right now, I only wanted to be with him. I wanted to spend all my time with him. I wasn't used to that. I usually liked being around lots of people and socialising in a group.

When I woke up on Saturday morning, I lounged in bed for a while on my phone, checking social media and texting Hans, but I kept wondering what Seb was doing. Was he at the gym? I doubted he'd still be asleep—he seemed like an early riser. Was he visiting his family before work today?

Nibbling my lip, I opened up my messages with him and hovered my thumbs over the keyboard. I wanted to text him but couldn't think of anything to say. We hadn't made plans for our next lesson yet, but I didn't really want to text him about that.

With a sigh, I got up and dragged my feet to the bathroom to take a shower. At least Nolan usually slept in until, like, one p.m. at the weekends, so I didn't have him hammering on the door the whole time. Seeing as I'd be getting changed into a suit later, I put on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt my mom had made for me—faint purple tie-dye with a stalk of pink-and-purple sweetpea embroidered on the front. I didn't plan on going anywhere before work—I'd probably just spend the morning gaming with my buddies online.

"Good morning, my flower," Mom said from the dining table when I shuffled into the kitchen. She and Dad were sipping from cups with a steaming pot of herbal tea between them on the table.

"Morning." I tugged open the fridge to grab some juice. Seeing a jar of Dad's homemade apricot preserves, I grabbed that too to have with toast for breakfast.

I wondered whether Seb had finished that loaf of bread yet. Maybe I could text him and ask when he wanted me to go over and make more with him.

"You won't be needing that, Son," Dad said cheerfully as I set the jar down to get a glass. "We're going out for breakfast."

"We are?"

"Yes, sweetpea." Mom stood and swept over, gazing up at me as she rested a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You've seemed unsettled these last few days. I can feel it. We want to take you out. Spend the morning together before I go to the shop."

I squirmed a little, gulping down juice so I didn't have to answer at first. Lowering the glass, I gave her a smile. "I'm not—I'm okay. But sure, breakfast sounds nice. Where are we going?"

"Just to Lupe's. Your dad has a hankering for their breakfast scramble."

I perked up. "Noice. Okay. Let me go get changed."

"Oh, no, don't change your T-shirt, flower!" Mom cried in dismay. "It means so much seeing you in it. My little sweetpea."

I huffed, letting my head fall back. " Fine , I won't change my T-shirt. But I need to go put real pants on."

"I'll come up to wake your brother." She tucked her arm through mine and led us out of the kitchen. "Are you sure you're alright, sweetpea?"

"I'm fine, Mama."

"Alright," she said softly, then after a pause, added, "It's just that you stayed out all night the other day, after you came home early from work. Is everything alright at work?"

"Yep," I said cheerfully. "All totally fine."

"Alright. If you ever want to talk…"

"I know, Mama."

"I know there are some things you might not want to talk to your parents about, but that doesn't mean you can't. You can tell us anything, Larkin."

"I know," I repeated, giving her a tiny smile as we reached the top of the stairs. "Really, I'm fine. I'm great."

She didn't look like she fully believed me, but she nodded and pecked my cheek. "Alright, sweetpea. Let me go wake your brother."

I hurried into my room so I didn't have to witness Nolan whining about being woken up early and swapped my sweats for some jeans, then threw a baggy cardigan on over my T-shirt. After checking my hair looked okay, I made my way back downstairs and joined my dad at the table while we waited for Mom and Nolan.

Dad's mauve hair was in two braids, and Mom had already gone outside to pick a daisy to put behind his ear, like she did most mornings in the warmer months. They were such dorks.

"What do you think I should grow next, Son?" Dad asked, flicking through the seed catalogue he got delivered every quarter. There was a fae-run seed business a few towns over, and Dad had been a loyal customer for decades, even though I'd told him he could just order whatever he wanted online. "Job's Tears or Kiwano?"

He also liked to try growing new, unusual fruits and vegetables every year. We'd been made to eat some questionable stuff in the past.

"Dunno what either of them are." I stole Mom's cup to have a sip of herbal tea.

"Job's Tears are easier to grow here, I think, but I like a challenge." He chuckled and nudged me with his elbow.

I peered over at the catalogue, then pointed at a grainy photo of some small green-and-white ball things. "Ooh, how about those?"

"Cucamelons?" Dad perked up, then beamed at me and squeezed my shoulder. "I'll grow them for you, Son. You like cucumber."

I grinned back. "Thanks."

"Or you could try," he suggested hopefully. "I can order the seeds and get a container all ready for you in a sunny spot in the garden."

"Sure." I remembered telling Seb that I hadn't had much of a chance to do stuff with my dad recently, and I knew it made him happy, so I could make the effort to grow some cute little cucumbers in the yard.

I wondered whether Seb liked cucumber. Maybe when they were ready I could give some to him. I bet he'd be impressed that I'd grown them myself.

As Dad started jotting down the seeds he wanted to buy in his dirt-streaked notebook, I pulled out my phone and opened my texts. Belly flipping with nerves, I typed out a message to Seb. Just a casual one. Super casual, how friends casually texted in a casual way.

Gonna grow these tiny cucumber things with my dad. Do you like cucumber?

I cringed the moment I sent it. I was pretty sure I'd never asked any of my other friends if they liked a specific vegetable, but that was still normal, right? A normal, casual thing to text a friend on a Saturday morning.

Flustered, I fired off another text. I love cucumber. My dad already grows like three different types but these are all small and cute.

Then another. He likes finding new unusual plants to grow.

Forcing myself to pocket my phone, I got up and went to pull on my boots by the front door when I heard Mom and Nolan coming down the stairs. Nolan still looked half-asleep, his lavender hair sticking out wildly from the hood of his gigantic sweatshirt.

"I'm getting pancakes," he croaked as he sat on the floor to pull on his sneakers.

"Me too."

He looked up at me, pale green eyes—just like Dad's—still heavy with sleep. "Bet I can eat more than you."

"I'm not gonna stuff pancakes down my throat just to try and beat you, asswipe."

"'Cause you know you wouldn't win." He heaved himself up and wiped his nose with his sleeve. He was so grody sometimes.

As Mom wandered off to collect Dad—who'd probably already forgotten we were heading out—he stepped closer and whispered, "Hey, so where were you the other night? Getting laid? By who? You seeing someone?"

"None of your B, Brolan."

He looked a little hurt, which made me feel bad. "I just wanna know if you're feeling comfortable enough to date now. You know, because of your nub."

I flushed. Nolan was an annoying twerp most of the time, but despite the age gap between us, we'd always been close.

"Um, kind of." I glanced toward the kitchen. "But don't mention it to Mom and Dad. It's not a… It's just…"

"Cone of silence, broseph." He grinned at me, then tried to scrub at my hair as I slapped his hand away. "Little Larky is growing up."

"Shut your face, dickweed."

"Hey, when you get your own place, can I come live with you?"

"You'll be at college soon," I reminded him. Nolan had always done much better in school than I had.

"Yeah, but if you get a two-bed, I can have a room to crash in whenever I want." He grinned at me slyly. "Unless you're gonna move in with your new loverrr ."

"Ew, gross." I weakly shoved his face as he snickered, but my belly jolted a little.

Seb's place was nice. Quiet and fairly remote, but not far from town. I could sit outside in my fae form and not worry about being spotted. Or I could sit outside naked. I wondered how Seb would react to that.

Mom and Dad appeared in the front hall, both of them slipping on their sandals before we all shifted into human form and left. As I sat in the back of the car next to Nolan on the drive into town, I pulled out my phone and checked it, my pulse jumping when I saw Seb had replied.

I do like cucumbers. That sounds nice, and I bet your dad is happy. Is that what you're doing today before work? Gardening with him?

I was grinning as I quickly replied. Nah, having breakfast with the fam. When they're ready I'll give you some if you want. The cucamelons I mean.

He responded almost instantly. Sounds nice. And yeah, I'd love some. I'd love to grow some of my own stuff but wouldn't know where to start.

I can help, I quickly typed. If you want. My dad gets this giant catalogue with all different seeds and stuff. I can borrow it and we can pick some easy stuff to grow.

It took him a little longer to reply this time, and I fidgeted with my phone, restlessly glancing between it and out the window.

Finally, he sent back, Sure. Thanks. I'd like that.

So what are you doing today before work? I quickly sent back, wanting to keep the conversation going.

Just finishing up at the gym with Ludo. Then we're gonna get something to eat.

In an instant, I was picturing Seb when he'd burst out of the trees the other night, all sweaty and bare-chested, his muscles seeming to have swelled even bigger. My belly clenched. I'd wanted to shove my face into his armpit and inhale the scent of his clean sweat, but I'd settled for giving him an awkward hug instead.

Noice , I texted back. Then, because I didn't want to seem all clingy and obsessive, I typed, Well, I'll see you later at work. New crossword tonight?

I was getting a tiny bit better at them, but I didn't really care about being the one to get the answers. I just liked sitting with Seb. Having an excuse to sit closer than other situations allowed. Chatting quietly with him while Taylor and Holt watched the wrestling on the other couch.

We've still got a couple more words to get in last night's , Seb replied.

Grinning, I teased, Oh right, yeah, you can't leave one unfinished. I'd cheat all the time if I was doing them alone, dude.

I may have cheated once or twice in the past , he sent back.

A tiny laugh snuffled out of me, which made Nolan look up from his phone and smirk. Flushing, I tucked my phone away and gazed out of the window.

Lupe's Diner was decently busy when we got there, but we managed to get a booth by the windows. My parents were friendly with the owners, partly because they were friendly with everyone, but mainly because Wanda, who owned Lupe's with her husband, went to see Mom religiously every week for a reading. Mom was a Seer and did readings out of the back of her store for her non-human customers.

Mom and Dad asked me about work after we'd ordered our breakfast, while Nolan played on his phone and occasionally interjected. My parents had met Holt a couple of times—once being when he and Seb had delivered me home after I got pretty drunk on my birthday. I didn't really remember it, but Holt had said my mom could be terrifying when she wanted to be. I wasn't sure I believed it.

My belly squirmed as I wondered whether they'd spoken to Seb that night. It had been ages ago now, but still. God. How embarrassing. He'd probably been the one to carry me inside. I was taller than Holt, and he wasn't all muscly and strong with big biceps and a wonderfully hairy chest…

Our drinks arrived, cutting the conversation off briefly. Herbal tea for Mom and Dad, coffee for Nolan and orange juice for me. The server, a big werewolf dude in a backwards cap called Caleb, paused when he noticed me.

"Hey, you work for Holt, right?" He grinned at us. "He got us tickets to the show the other week. It was sick. "

My dad beamed with pride at me, as if I were the one who organised the shows or did anything actually useful at work. I flushed, smiling awkwardly at Caleb.

"Uh-huh. Glad you enjoyed it, bro."

"Been hounding Ludo since he got here to score us more." Caleb chuckled, jerking his chin toward the other side of the diner. "No luck yet."

I went completely still for a second, then half stood in my seat to peer frantically across the diner. If Ludo was here, that meant…

My pulse spiked when I spotted him. He had his back to me, but I'd recognise him anywhere. The short, dark hair and the slope of his neck and his wide shoulders under a soft-looking grey T-shirt.

Before I knew what I was doing, I'd scrambled directly over Nolan, who squawked in protest, and out of the booth.

"Sweetpea?" Mom asked warily as Caleb gave me an odd look and wandered off.

"I just, um, need the bathroom." Now that I was standing, I cringed at the thought of marching over there to say hi. He was having a quiet breakfast with his friend. And what if he was all, like, cool and aloof with me in front of Ludo? That would be so embarrassing.

Unfortunately, my family were all now expecting me to go to the bathroom, which would actually take me past Seb and Ludo anyway. Clearing my throat, I pulled out my phone and started typing nonsense to Hans just so I looked busy as I made my way casually across the diner. Then I had to hover in the restroom for like a minute, but definitely no longer than that so it didn't look like I was taking a number two if Seb had noticed me.

Checking my reflection in the mirror, my shoulders slumped in dismay as I remembered what T-shirt I was wearing. It had a freaking sweetpea embroidered on the front. Maybe I didn't want Seb to see me right now.

As I nervously slipped back out, my gaze was immediately drawn to his booth. As if he could sense me, he looked over and smiled, but didn't look surprised, which meant he must've seen me go in. Sometimes I cursed my stunning head of bright pink hair. It was a bit of a beacon.

Flushing, I gave him an awkward wave. He said something to Ludo and stood, his smile growing just a little when his eyes landed on my T-shirt as he made his way over.

"Hi." He stopped in front of me and nodded at it. "Nice T-shirt."

"My mom made it." My face was still warm, but I found myself grinning at him.

He chuckled. "That's sweet."

"I guess." I flushed again, shoving my hands in my back pockets and rocking back on my heels. My gaze flittered over to the booth my family was in and I felt my face grow even hotter.

They were all staring, Mom and Dad literally twisted around in their seats to watch us. Dad looked delighted. Mom was resting a hand on her chest as if she was getting emotional. Nolan was peering over at us behind them, and when he caught my eye, he mouthed, Is that him? then flexed his non-existent muscles to indicate how big Seb was.

I jerked my gaze away quickly, then felt myself die just a little inside when I realised Seb had followed my line of sight and was looking over at them. Mom waved frantically at him and Dad looked like he was about to get up and bound over to join us, until Nolan quickly reached across the table and grabbed his arm to divert his attention. My little brother could be such a bro sometimes.

Seb looked back at me with a tiny smile. "You've got your mom's hair, I see, but I'm guessing you'll look exactly like your dad in a few decades."

I gurgled with laughter. "So will you! You just have to grow a giant beard first."

I actually thought Seb would look pretty good with a beard. And long hair. All rugged and stuff.

He chuckled and took a step back, making a hint of weird panic tighten my chest. "Well, I'll let you get back. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Um, yeah. Thanks. Um… see you at work."

He gave me a secret grin before turning. "See you later."

I shot Ludo an awkward smile, seeing as he was watching us, before walking back over to the booth on slightly unsteady legs. No one spoke as I sat and picked up my juice to gulp half of it down, then Dad inhaled an excited breath to speak, before Nolan not-so-subtly kicked him under the table. He shut his mouth again.

Mom cleared her throat and lightly asked, "Who was that, sweetpea?"

"Um, Seb," I answered awkwardly, still annoyingly flushed. "I work with him."

"Oh, that's nice." Mom idly swirled her tea as Dad shot glances between the two of us, practically vibrating in his seat. She added, "He's very handsome. Beautiful eyes."

"Werewolf?" Nolan asked in a mutter. I nodded jerkily, face burning hotter.

"He seems very nice," Mom said airily.

I rolled my eyes. "You didn't even speak to him, Mom. Just saw him across the room."

"I could feel his positive energy from here," she answered smoothly. "Very calming. Soothing. Strong and dependable."

"Definitely good vibes," Dad burst out, still looking like he wanted to go over there and, I don't know, give Seb a giant hug or something. Uuugghhh. He'd do it, as well. He had no shame.

"Plus he probably hangs major dong," Nolan added.

"Oh my god, Nolan, what the fuck?" I blurted, my entire body on fire.

"Not saying you'd know that, bro," he replied innocently. "I'm just saying. Look at the size of him."

"Nolan," Mom chastised, shaking her head. "Things like that don't matter. He has a good soul, but there's an air of melancholy there… I'd love to give him a reading."

My chest tightened a little as I stared at her. "Melancholy? Really?"

Seb was sad? Why? The thought of that made me want to get back up and go over there to somehow try and make him feel better. I didn't like it. At all.

Mom nodded, giving me a soft smile. "It could be anything, sweetpea. Sometimes people just feel sad some days. I'm sure it's nothing."

"He seemed happy to see you," Dad piped up, just as Caleb arrived with our breakfasts. "His energy brightened the moment he spotted you."

"Can we please stop talking about this now?" I muttered, slouching in my seat and giving Caleb a polite smile when he placed my pancakes in front of me.

Once Caleb was gone, Dad leaned over his plate of breakfast scramble and winked at me. "Was he who you made bread with the other night?"

" Ew , what the fuck, Dad, you can't ask him that." Nolan grimaced, then looked around at us uncertainly. "Wait, that was a euphemism, right?"

"No," I muttered. "We literally made bread, you weirdo."

"It can be a very intimate experience, though," Dad commented, digging into his breakfast. "The kneading. The waiting. Seeing it rise in the oven. Knowing you've created something together. And then enjoying the fruits of your labour. It's wonderful. So bonding."

Mom was nodding in agreement as I squirmed in my seat.

"This is getting weird." I shot her a pleading look. "Can we please talk about something else?"

"Of course, sweetpea." She smiled at Nolan. "Are you coming to work with me today, tulip?"

"Ugh, I guess." Nolan sometimes worked in Mom's shop just like I used to, before I landed my job at Goliaths.

I was grateful that the conversation had moved on, but as I stuffed a bit of pancake in my mouth, I found myself trying to subtly peer over Dad's head at a specific booth on the other side of the diner.

Ludo was saying something to Seb, his expression solemn. When he glanced up and caught my eye, I ducked back down quickly, my cheeks on fire. Shit.

I'm going to have it play it extra cool at work , I thought, then realised that I didn't really want to. Honestly, I kind of wished I'd introduced Seb to my family. I wanted him to meet them. It felt important, for some reason.

He felt important.